Aviation Nostalgia Thread

[lbaspotter]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Here's what i remember other the years which airlines operated the LBA - Toronto service of the past.

Wardair = B747-200 = 1984-88 (Operated via BHX which was the shortest sector for a 747 at the time)
Worldways = L1011 & DC8 = 1987 (In compertition with Wardair)
Odyssey International = B757-200 = 1989-91
Ai Transat = B757-200 = 1992-98

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Talk of Odyssey International and LBA reminds me of LBA-based Brown Air (or Brownair?) that morphed into Capital Airlines.

One of my hobbies was cine photography and more latter videography, though I've not done so much in recent years.

One day in 1991 (I'm 99% certain that was the year but am not at home at the moment to check) I took a pan shot of the BRS apron.

There were five aircraft parked:

A Capital Shorts (can't remember the model off the top of my head)
An Odyssey 757
A Hispania 733
A Dan Air HS 748
A Paramount MD 83

Within a year all these airlines had ceased to exist.

The odd thing is that they were the only aircraft on the apron at the time I took the shot.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Hispania now that brings back memories.

We had 2 of there aircraft inpounded here at Leeds/Bradford when they went bust and ceased operations on the 14th july 1989. We had a Boeing 757-200 and a Boeing 737-300 parked here for a couple off months taking up space on the apron. Cant remember the reg's of the 2 said aircraft.

I guess Bigman might know?

Then a year a later in June 1990 local yorkshire based Capital Airlines went bust as well. Remember when there 6 Shorts 360's and 2 BAe 146's where all parked up in the same place.

 

[Bigman]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

I don't actually. Didn't come up her back in those days.

Anyway, who can remember the Tristars we had doing Palma flights on Saturdays around 1998/9. I seem to remember Classic Airways being one of them, and Luzair being the other. Can anyone elaborate?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

lbaspotter,

Thanks for the dates.

My cine shot would have been 1989 then, not 1991 as I mistakenly thought.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

We had 2 of there aircraft inpounded here at Leeds/Bradford when they went bust and ceased operations on the 14th july 1989. We had a Boeing 757-200 and a Boeing 737-300 parked here for a couple off months taking up space on the apron. Cant remember the reg's of the 2 said aircraft

I remember that so well. I could see both aircraft parked on the apron from my window and I watched through binoculars as a guy on a cherry picker sprayed the (rather nice) orange tail of the 737-300 all white, although I have never understood why, when the 757 was not touched. I was sad to see Hispania go - there should be more airlines with colourful liveries like that.

Local Yokel, the Capital Shorts were all 360-300's - G-CPTL, G-OLGW, G-OLBA, G-OLTN, G-BNDM were 5 of the 6 360's (the other being G-O--- in recognition of another served airport but I can't remember which - possibly BRU), whilst their two BAe146-300's were G-OSKI and G-OSUN. The airline itself didn't actually go bust and were £4m in the black at the time they ceased operations - it was the Brown Group parent company that went bust and took the airline down with them. Brown Group owned the Moxy dump truck company, which were built in Norway, and it was that connection that led to the original Brown Air route to Oslo. They had been flying the route using their own Cessna 441(G-MOXY) so decided to get a license to carry passengers, and prior to the introduction of Shorts aircraft and a change of name to Capital, they obtained a Gulfstream 1 turbo prop (G-BRWN) to operate that route, along with Frankfurt.

It was a sad day for LBA in particular when they ceased operations, since by then they had an extensive route network and high frequency on most routes. As lbaspotter states, all aircraft were recalled to LBA and initially were parked up in a long line on the apron, before they were all moved to the pan at the top side of the airfield and the entire fleet was left there for several weeks before finally disappearing.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Many thanks for the update Heather. Most interesting.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Does anyone know how to insert a document into the reply please?

I was going to insert an old document.

LbaYorkie

 

[bobleeds]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

The 6th Shorts 360 was, I think G-OEEC

 

[White Heather]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Thanks Bob, I think you are correct, and it is such an 'obscure' registration, I would never have remembered it. I KNEW it was something to do with Brussels though!!

Heather

 

[bobleeds]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

No problem White Heather,

I used the Capital “Sheds” nearly every week in 1990 flying to Gatwick on Monday Mornings when I was working on Secondment in Surrey. I remember on the first flight it was raining heavily on take-off and the rain actually leaked in, Not realising it was an unpressurised cabin, I was rather concerned and called the stewardess - she gave me a towel and some extra coffee and biscuits for my trouble! If you liked flying and didn't mind being bounced around in the clouds they were great fun and gave great views of the countryside below unlike the jets which fly too high to really see where you are.

I would travel back each Friday on the BD420 DC9-32 from Heathrow what a super airliner and at the time British Midland a superb airline offering Diamond Service which was in effect an all club class cabin irrespective of ticket type or fare paid, with good catering and excellent bar. If only we could still do the same.

I also used to love waiting for my flight the old flying club bar at Heathrow on Friday evenings with passengers for LBA, MME, EDI and GLA awaiting their last flights home after a week working in the south, or anywhere in the world come to that. There was a great camaraderie, before it was all updated and ruined.

Out of interest are any Shorts 360's (or even 330's) still flying passengers?
Bob

 

[starjet55]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

To answer a question from 18 months ago!

I vividly remember an Aviaco DC9 (EC-CTS) diverting into LBA from MAN one sunny Sat afternoon in late 70s. Must have been Autumn - MAN was fogbound. Caused huge excitement amongst the local spotting team - Nigel S may even have spent some money on the back of it!

Took off on 33 clearing the fence by about 3cm I seem to recall.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Can't remember exactly when it was- late seventies I think, definitely before runway extension we had
a Boeing 707-320C make a visit.

LbaYorkie

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

LBAYORKIE

I would have thought the weather conditions would have to be quite special for a 707 to land.
I remember once also before the extension,an American Boeing 727-100 Bizjet was destined to land at LBA early one morning.
The airport reserved a special parking spot near stand 1. Everybody was so excited about it and it would show us just what
type of big aircraft would be seen at LBA after the extension.
I listened in to ATC that morning with great excitement.The Controller was also very excited.Finally an American voice broke the silence.The pilot asked for an update of the weather. To me it seemed to be perfect with almost no wind. After a while, the pilot said,sorry, we have made some calculations and it is not suitable for us to land.The controller was saying but we are all waiting for you to give you a special welcome.The pilot said, so sorry but maybe next time sir. I thought the Controller was going to cry.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

You are correct LBAYorkie, we did have a 707 at LBA prior to the runway extension, but it was the 80's, not the 70's, probably around 1983, when we had a United Arab Emirates 707 at LBA. It had flown an Arabic VIP in to Leeds I think, and was able to land and take off due to the light load. I was working in Park Place Leeds at the time and saw it fly overhead, on a sunny clear day. Had my boss let me take the day off I would have been out of work and up to the airport within an hour, but sadly there was a job to do, and I had to do it!

Thanks for the insight into Capital sheds and the British Midland DC9-32 BobLeeds.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Yes, that's the one. It was as you say VIP flight.

I can remember a snowy night probably 1978 when snow affected much of the country and LBA took diversions from many other airports. Aircraft types were BAC 1-11's and B737's (plus various prop jet's)- mainly. One of the diversions was a Lisbon-Gatwick BA flight.

I think it was after the extension, but we had a TMA B707 Freighter divert one evening presumably originated in Beirut. Had a sports car and fresh produce on board.

Would be interested to know if anyone can remember a Trident at LBA

LbaYorkie

 

[eastcoaster]

Trident at LBA

There has never been a Trident at LBA on the ground. But, we did have a Northeast Trident do a couple of overshoots on the then RW 15 on its way to RAF Church Fenton for their air show. It was ther early 70s, but I can not recall the exact year.

 

[Nordjet414]

Re: B707

Hi LBAYORKIE

The 707 pre runway extension was in fact B720-047B HZ-KA4 owned by Sheikh K. Adham when they were asked to pay the landing fee the pilot took out a wad of notes and paid in cash now those were the days.

Cheers
414

 

[bobleeds]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Does anyone else remember the nights of the "Big Diverts" the most spectacular of which I think was in January 1987, when LBA was the only airport open in mainland UK (I think).

I have memories of BA 737's and 111's, Dan Air 727s, 737's and 111's, SAS DC9's and many others (was it 50 + inbounds) including a Swissair A310 which had to park on the 14 Loop - much to the incredulity of it's captain, and Suckling Dorniers parking on the Northair Hangar Aprons.

Runway 28, The north-south taxiway (now Delta), the pan and even the taxiway from the firestaiotn to 14/32 were all full with planes. Amazing night.

Bob

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Nostalgia Thread

Bob,
I remember that day very well.I think all Manchester's BA's 1-11 fleet operated from LBA. The Pax on the Swissair A310 were stranded for a very long time waiting for airstairs.The whole of runway 28 was jam packed with aircraft interlocked.Many more aircraft were turned away including I believe at least 1 747.I went to the airport to see the amazing sight.I remember seeing a photo of this event, it may have been in the YEP but maybe someone on here has a photo.